US Army Field Sanitation Teams (FST) have served as public/environmental health extenders to company sized units (130 Soldiers) since World War II. This is an additional duty assigned to two unit members who receive a 40 hour course in field sanitation covering subjects such as water quality, pest management, sanitation, and waste disposal. If used properly, they are considered a valuable combat multiplier while reducing the unit's disease and non-battle injury rate. FSTs are backed by an Army regulation but often fail because of competing interests, FST organization, and lack of command emphasis. This presentation will look at levels of environmental health organization in the US Army, FST history, describe current problems reducing the effectiveness of FSTs, and present recommendations to improve these valuable teams.
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